July 7, 2022
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BOONE COUNTY
SENIOR LIVING A MONTHLY FOUR PAGE SECTION FOR SENIORS
The Heroic Harold Hammond Article contributed by: The Boone County Museum of History
Harold Hammond was born on November 12, 1931 in Belvidere, Illinois to Glyndon & Emma Hammond. In 1947 at sixteen years old, Harold tried to join the army but was rejected for his age. One year later, he tried again & was accepted with his parents’ permission. Harold Hammond’s first survival experience happened on his first Army ship heading for Japan. The ship was disabled by a typhoon & ended up acquiring severe bouts of Cholera, Polio, & Bubonic Plague. After this he & his division of 86 other men were sent to South Korea. In June & July of 1950 his company was shelled by seven North Korean armies. They were outnumbered 1,900 to one. When the shooting was done, there were only 30 soldiers left. They were held captive for 15 days. Hammond finally escaped only after the captives were forced into a dry creek bed where the North Korean soldiers opened fire on the men. Hammond’s life was only spared because a fellow soldier fell on top of him & he played dead before hiding in the hills. He was traveling south for eight nights with no food or water when he came across two U.S. soldiers who gave him a rifle. He was then spotted by a U.S. MP who did not recognize his uniform from the blood & mud splatter & fired at him before realizing he was a U.S. soldier. After Harold was rescued, he was asked to help the soldiers hold the front line, which he did until the fall of 1950. In December of 1950, Harold Hammond was captured once again after going out to try & capture an enemy soldier. This second captivity lasted nearly three years. In that time, he & the other prisoners were forced into nighttime death marches, not fed properly, forced to drink water from rice paddies that were contaminated by animal & human waste, among many other barbarities. Harold Hammond was able to survive these atrocities by recalling his childhood, his family, his mother’s cooking, & focusing on escape. Hammond was finally released on July 27, 1953. He was 21, weighed 89 pounds & was six-feet tall. He was held captive for over 1,000 days & never gave up any information. When he finally made it home to the U.S. where the doctors gave him six months to live. Hammond was awarded 14 Bronze Stars, three Silver Medals, & two Purple Hearts. He was a part of many veteran organizations & volunteered at many hospitals. He had the largest known, privately owned flag collection in the world. In 2007, Harold Hammond was recognized for his heroism, courage, & loyalty by the Illinois Congress. He passed away at the age of 77 on February 21, 2009. You can see Harold Hammond’s medals along with the stories of other Boone County heroes at the new military exhibit at the Boone County Museum of History located at 314 S. State Street in Belvidere! Now Open!
SHADLEY APARTMENTS 1151 NETTIE STREET, BELVIDERE • MANAGED BY LUDWIG AND COMPANY •
SECTION 8 AFFORDABLE HOUSING These conveniently located and newly rehabbed, one bedroom apartments in Belvidere are specially designed for seniors and people with disabilities. Shadley Apartments is customized to facilitate independent living in a fully equipped apartment among friends and neighbors who share similar interests. Please contact Colisha Williams (815) 547-5255 Property Manager for private showing.
cwilliams@ludwigco.com fax: (815) 544-9568
Belvidere Family
YMCA
• For Youth Development • For Healthy Living • For Social Responsibility
815-547-5307
• Programs Recommended By Arthritis Foundation • Fitness Center With Trained Staff • Fitness Classes Free With Membership • 85 Degree Swimming Pool • Adult Lap & Open Times Throughout The Day • Discounted And Subsidized Memberships • Silver Sneakers And Silver & Fit Accepted
220 West Locust, Belvidere, IL 61008 www.belviderefamilyymca.org
BELVIDERE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION “Established 1847”
Ida Public Library Programs House Plant Help - Thursday, July 28th at 6 PM the Ida Public Library at 320 N. State Street in Belvidere will offer a program to help you if you are having problems with your house plants. Learn more about transplanting, propagating, plant identification & diseases with the University of Illinois Extension Office. Feel free to bring pictures or plants with problems to the class. For information or to register call 815-544-3838. Finding Your Past - Ida Public Library offers an ongoing program to help people looking for their Belvidere/ Boone County ancestors. Wondering who lived in your house once upon at time? Let your local history department help you find your past. Complete a request form at idapubliclibrary.org or email localhistory@idapubliclibrary.org.
• Pre-Burial Arrangements • Cremation Burials • Columbarium Niches
• Memorial Markers • Affordable Prices • Park-like Setting
Frank Lloyd Wright Pettit Memorial Chapel On Cemetery Grounds 1121 N. Main, Belvidere • 815-547-7642 belviderecemetery@comcast.net
Specializing In Short & Long Term Care Quality Healthcare Provided By A Professional Staff In addition to the highest quality care, we also strive to maintain the highest quality of life.
MapleCrest
4452 Squaw Prairie Road, Belvidere, IL 61008 tel: 815.547.6377 • fax: 815.547.3857 symphonymc.com
For A Private Tour Call Our Admissions Department Today
Rehabilitation Services Our rehab services extend far beyond the physical - it is about serving every aspect of an individual with care, kindness & respect. Our goal is to provide the necessary approach to facilitate a complete return to health & successful return to home.
Serving Boone County Over 40 Years!
Nor thwoods
2250 Pearl Street, Belvidere, IL 61008 tel: 815.544.0358 • fax: 815.544.5006 symphonynorthwoods.com